All You Need to Know About Syphilis Sore

This entry was posted on December 12, 2018 by Dr. Gordon Huddle.

The mere mention of this infection could be very scary especially to those who know less about the infectious disease. Syphilis sore, being a sexually transmitted disease which is caused by bacteria, may be passed from an infected person to an uninfected fellow during sexual intercourse. This transmission could also be as a result of the relationship between a mother and the baby in the womb or a blood transfusion.

A person infected with syphilis sore – the obvious symptom – is susceptible to severe damages to the nerves, brain, and body tissues when it is left untreated.

Some quick facts about syphilis sore

Syphilis sore is caused by a bacteria known as Treponema Pallidum which penetrates the mucous membranes or chafed skin of the infected person.

Men are more susceptible to contracting the disease than women.

People infected with syphilis sore often fall between the ages of 15 to 39 years old.

Transmission of syphilis sore occurs mostly when an uninfected person comes in contact with lesions on an infected person in the cause of any sexual activity.

The Stages and symptoms of Syphilis Sore

Syphilis sore is experienced at four different stages because it grows/multiplies from time to time if not managed appropriately. These four (4) stages, therefore, have their peculiar symptoms which would be described below:

The primary stage

This usually occurs at the beginning with a sore at the site of the infection referred to as a chancre. It appears usually as a painless crater-like lesion on the infected female or male genitals although other parts of the body are at risk. Infection could, therefore, arise at this stage as a result of touching the sore either during or without sexual activity.

The sore doesn’t just remain but develops two (2) to three (3) weeks after the infection and could heal spontaneously after about three (3) to six (6) weeks. The sore, however, goes away but the disease does not which consequently proceeds to the secondary stage.

The secondary stage

This stage is reached four (4) to ten (10) weeks after chancre and mimics a lot of symptoms which is the reason syphilis is generally referred to as ‘the great pretender.’ This stage of syphilis sore can look like a host of other illnesses and go away without treatment but if not managed, would proceed to the third stage.

The latent stage

This stage is also referred to as the dormant phase since the first twelve (12) months following the infection is characterized by no experience of symptoms. Be that as it may, patients in this stage remain infected. For example, a pregnant woman with no sores after some months can still transmit the infection to the fetus. This has been recorded in blood transfusion cases too.

The tertiary stage

Most people with syphilis sore at the latent stage would likely progress to the tertiary stage after some years of living with the infection. At this stage of the disease, several parts of the body like the bones, heart, skin, and brain are at very high risk but with the lucky advent of penicillin, this stage is easily combated which as a result makes it rarely experienced nowadays.

Generally, people who are not treated for syphilis sore develop severe symptoms which can lead to death. These symptoms are numerous and not limited to:

Dementia

Numbness

Paralysis

Blindness

Stroke

Heart disease

Skin Rashes

Loss of coordination

Deafness

Treatment of Syphilis Sore

Syphilis sore can be cured with the use of antibiotics especially when realized early enough. A single dose of penicillin can effectively do the job at the early stages of the infection and also work fairly in its latter stages. It is, however, advised that a person infected with syphilis sore and allergic to penicillin should try other means of treatment which includes the use of doxycycline and azithromycin.

It is further advised that a blood test is necessary as an inclusive process of treatment for at least a year after the dosage treatment. Staying away from sex is also part of the treatment until the sores have healed completely so as to effect speedy recovery and save the partner from potential infection.

The implication of not treating Syphilis Sore

Ignorance of syphilis sore may lead to severe health hazards which include:

Meningitis

Deafness

Stroke

Visual problems

HIV

Cardiovascular problems

Small Bumps

Dementia

Damage to the heart valves and issues during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Syphilis cannot be contracted from toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, clothing, silverware, or bathtubs, but from sexual activities and others discussed above. Whatever the circumstance may be, early treatment would do a lot of good to a person infected in order to enjoy a healthy stable course of daily activities.